Gluten Free Menu Swap- October 15th

This week’s secret ingredient in the Gluten Free Menu Swap is basil. Basil is a prominent herb in a variety of cuisines around the world, notably Italian, Thai, and Vietnamese.

menu-swap-006 Gluten Free Menu Swap- October 15th

A Few Notes About Basil

Varieties

There are more than 60 varieties- at least 12 can be cultivated for culinary use
Sweet Basil- by far the most popular; dubbed “the tomato herb”
Genoa Basil- similar to sweet; some cooks think it is the best variety for pesto
Lemon Basil- a favorite for desserts or beverages
Thai Basil- stronger taste, slight licorice flavor

Selection

Some cooks keep a basil plant indoors for fresh basil year round. If you are choosing fresh basil at the supermarket, make sure to choose basil that is vibrant looking with no dark spots or signs of decay.

Storage

Keep fresh basil leaves between damp paper towels in the refrigerator in a plastic bag for up to four days. Fresh basil can also be frozen. Blanch whole leaves for a couple of seconds, plunge into ice cold water, pat dry and place in airtight bags in the freezer. P.S. I have read that the flavor of the basil will be stronger if you don’t thaw the basil before you use it. If you are storing dry basil, make sure to replace it every six months.

My Gluten Free Menu

Monday: Pork Tenderloin, Fried Apples, and Salad

Tuesday: Pantry Beef Casserole

Wednesday: Fajitas

Thursday: Coconut Rice with Shrimp, Snow Peas, and Basil

Friday: Elise’s Chicken Stew with Onions, Tomatoes, and Dijon

Baking projects: I need to come up with a good spice cake recipe! Anyone have any good gluten free spice cake recipes? Hubby’s birthday is coming up and that is his favorite.

OUR GLUTEN FREE MENUS

Email me or leave a comment if you have a menu for this week’s Gluten Free Menu Swap!

Karen’s Gluten Free Menu at Gluten Free Sox
She is making Veal Picatta, yum!

Mary Frances’ Gluten Free Menu at Gluten Free Cooking School
She is making Veggie Quesadillas and a homemade basil pesto this week.

Seamaiden’s Gluten Free Menu at Book of Yum
She is making a Veggie Pad Thai with fresh basil.

Mrs. G.F.’s Gluten Free Menu from her Recipes for a Gluten Free Life
She is making a turned and roasted chicken with butternut squash this week.

Carrie’s Gluten Free Menu at Ginger Lemon Girl
She is making an Amish Pot Roast and a Marinara Bake.

Want to see some more menus (a few of us are gluten-free)? Go visit Organizing Junkie’s Menu Plan Monday!

Reminder: Next week’s host is Mrs. G.F. -please email her next week with your post links (reminder: you will link your menu back to the host of the week). If you so desire, the [optional] gluten-free secret ingredient for next week is apple.

Email me at natalie(at)glutenfreemommy(dot)com if you would like a turn to host!

And for my Monday Mommy Brag:

1 year old boy

What a little thinker?

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Posted on October 15th, 2007 by Natalie
Filed under: gluten free menu

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13 Responses to “Gluten Free Menu Swap- October 15th”

  1. Mary Frances, on October 15th, 2007 at 12:15 am Said:

    Oh, what a sweet picture! He really does look like he’s thinking hard =)

    Are you going to post the Coconut Rice with Shrimp, Snow Peas, and Basil this week? It looks yummy!

  2. Natalie, on October 15th, 2007 at 8:15 am Said:

    Mary Frances- That is the plan, but you know how that goes!! :)

  3. Slacker Mom, on October 15th, 2007 at 8:34 am Said:

    The menu planning thing looks great!! You did an awesome job!

    Thanks. :)

  4. carrie, on October 15th, 2007 at 8:44 am Said:

    This is such a great idea Natalie! Thanks so much for starting the gluten-free menu swap! I love seeing what other people are making! Making a menu is such a great tool to organize not only what you are going to make throughout the week, but to know what you are going to post! I love having a plan, even though I don’t always stick to it! Thanks so much for starting this!

  5. Char, on October 15th, 2007 at 9:50 am Said:

    It looks like a very yummy week!

  6. catherine, on October 15th, 2007 at 6:03 pm Said:

    Oooh, I love basil. I will have get back in the kitchen so I can start participating in the menu swap. What a great idea!

  7. alexsandra, on October 16th, 2007 at 3:26 pm Said:

    I am new to GF and definitely loving it! It is great to be pain free for the first time in years. I especially am enjoying clicking away on all the links to blogs and recipes so I just want to say a big THANKS for all the time you take to share!

  8. dianne, on October 17th, 2007 at 7:54 am Said:

    Hi Natalie

    This is such a good idea, many of us are bound to get inspiration from this series. As for myself, I couldnt hope to plan a weeks menu’s and stick to it … maybe I could plan a menu for a day and stick to that

    d :)

  9. childlife, on October 17th, 2007 at 7:20 pm Said:

    Thanks for all your work in putting this together! Some of the ideas are really great and I am always looking for fresh inspiration - so handy to have so many new ideas all in one place!

  10. ~M, on October 19th, 2007 at 4:55 pm Said:

    I really liked Karina’s easy brown sugar and spice pumpkin cake bars. Best of luck with the spice cake, and let us know what you come up with!

  11. Natalie, on October 21st, 2007 at 6:46 pm Said:

    M-
    Thanks for the suggestion! I will check it out! Everything Karina makes is fab! :)

  12. glutenfreeworldgirl, on October 21st, 2007 at 10:37 pm Said:

    Hi Natalie-

    This menu swap is a great idea. I’m in this week. Let’s see how it goes. I have a menu plan. Let me know what else you need from me.

    Thanks!

    http://www.myglutenfreeworld.com/2007/10/gluten-free-menu-week.html

  13. Mama Mia! (using a pasta maker to make gluten-free pasta) « Gluten Free Sox Fan’s Blog, on February 13th, 2008 at 11:37 am Said:

    [...] also used this week’s secret ingredient: [...]

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